Vancea had her first miscarriage. Her sister consoles her, while I can not. Even if it's my fault. She knows she can not leave the castle until she gives me three grandchildren. A cruel command to someone with my lineage.

  I swirl my wine as I sit alone in my bedroom. It may be time to take on another Tapestry. I'll have the Central Repository assign a random one again. No one to punish. They can keep their name. I throw my glass at the wall.

  The glass disappears as does its liquid. I charge towards the empty spot in my mana aura. I find the fool still recoiling from the waste of good spirits. I grab their face, pushing a compel into him even as I kick his legs out from under him. He slams into the floor hard, dazed. It takes half my mental core but they are finally under control.

  “How many in this cell?”

  I thrust backwards before he could answer. My elbow caught the ribs of the second assailant. I feel my back cut, the knife fumbling out of the assassin's grasp. I hold the blood there with an attention, it wouldn't do to be poisoned. I follow through with a decapitating void strike. I only need one to question.

  “Two.”

  His answer while still dazed from the mental command. I point to the cabinet

  “Top drawer has mantacles, put them on and return to me.”

  He does so. I burn the spot of my knife wound, the latest core seeing some use. When he is in front of me, I activate the manacles. I right my chair and turn it towards my evening entertainment. Rebellion or another kingdom. These fools have denied me time from my daughters. When they needed me the most, I had to remain separate.

  “How did you know?” He has his mind back.

  I shrug, “I didn't, better to look the fool swinging at air than the fool poisoned on the ground.”

  He glares at the floor. Ashamed at his failure. I tip his chin up with a finger, “Now, I need you to start telling me who sent you.”

  “No one but you, you've denied every Elf the right to retrieve Tapestries.” His glare grows.

  “I simply put forth a fifty year moratorium. With exceptions.”

  “Your rules for exceptions deny anyone who is immune to geas.” He sneers.

  “Naturally, they are uncontrollable. But you sir aren't actually excluded. Was it your mate who put you up to this? The one missing a head? Why didn't you just apply for the geas and retrieve a Tapestry? I allow it so long as one of the couple bears them.” For now.

  “Every Elf who claims your geas dies before tier four. I have no desire to parted from my love early due to your fuckin’ witchery.”

  “And yet here you are, parted.”

  Another experiment then. I begin pushing the required geas. He writhes. When they set and his hatred was at their greatest, I removed his head to match his mate. I want the Tapestry to remember the change to the soul. It has yet to occur. But it's something I would like to perfect before Vancea leaves the castle. Just more insurance.

  I claim his Tapestry for myself. Not a crime to be made a prince. Only hybrid makers and Tapestry shredders for those. I look at the mates. Perhaps one for Arccor or Sencea. Still a year or two before then.

  -----

  “Mother, I finally made it to tier two. I.” There was a hitch in her emotion, “I only wish Vancea was still here.”

  She had died in the grove. Delve too far into our new dungeon. I had built my capital over the ruins of my siege thirty years ago. It after all had a convenient fresh dungeon to gain more exp from.

  “That's wonderful Sarcea. Come give me a hug.”

  She does, warmth. I grip her, “Despite the hatred and despair, you will continue striving for tier four so that you may always remember.”

  She doesn't struggle, “Mother?” It will be the last time she trusts me. A bit bittersweet.

  “You're going to learn your first Lark, honey. It will be painful as it was a painful life that ended cruelly.”

  -----

  I catch her wrist, the dagger in her hand. It was aimed for my back. Her attempt was so clumsy it was beyond foolish.

  “You shouldn't deny your son of your presence so soon, Sencea.”

  “Damn you Cea. I remember what you did.”

  “Which of course means you remember what you did.”

  She struggles more, but her strength is nothing compared to mine. When she realizes this and slumps down I release her. The knife is aimed at her chest but it trembles. She is unable too. She doesn't waste our time asking why.

  “Tier four, Sencea. In the safest way possible. Then you can see Vancea again. You are not to earn exp through slaying, Sencea.”

  She writhes and cries. She would be back at the forge the next day. It was her obsession now.

  -----

  This is a daily reminder: You have 416 unallocated stat points

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The lich kept most of the early years to herself again. Seems she is unable to let them go. Even of her most hated daughter. Though am I the most hated now? I doubt it actually but we shall see. In another thousand years of memories. Give or take five hundred.

  “How many this time?”

  “Good morning to you—” I see her frowning at my diary, trying to will the skill levels to start showing. I wouldn't talk to her in [English], it has slowed her efforts considerably. “Seriously, Glindinal.”

  “I'm going to get these skill levels, Cea.”

  Just make her a vampire. The thought interjects itself. It's getting worse.

  You have gained [Resist Mental Attacks 3] Apprentice 7

  Gain 10 exp

  I frown. My mental was high enough to attempt a core but void is tier one still. It slowed considerably, now that I have to actively heal against it. I should just make my own. A copy of the one around my neck. That way I can return the original and head to Yetna. I'm getting concerned with how much of my soul is just Cea memories. For all I have taken from her, my soul value hasn't increased. Instead my pure soul is almost all Cea memories. I'll know tomorrow.

  “Sara!”

  “How many—”

  She interrupted me, again. “Yes I know. But it's the easiest way to grab your attention back. How many years?”

  “About fifteen.” She nods at my answer while looking at my Tapestry. Then looking at me she frowns.

  “Shit, do I still look like Cea?” I start to head to the mirror. She stops me.

  “The area around your circlet is bruised.”

  Now I frown, I check the spot. I release the mana from the cursed item and my thinking becomes clearer. I lift the circlet, feeling the flesh peel with it. Right, it does physical damage as well. I reshape the flesh and put the circlet back in place. After wiping it off of course. I smile at Glindinal, she looks pale.

  “Seems I wasn't fixing the area around my forehead.”

  “You used to heal constantly now…” She trails off.

  “O right, my body doesn't really heal anymore. I just have to mentally reshape it.”

  “Are you even still mrrrph” Mags cover Glindinal's mouth.

  “Sorry, I prefer you don't give her ideas.” Mags tells the Elf. I tilt my head. “Sara.”

  “I go by Cea.” I give a glare.

  “Of course, demon. I was thinking of going to the bakery.”

  O bread. All other thoughts forgotten.

  -----

  “Why are you breaking your arm off repeatedly?”

  I look up at Glindinal. “Tis mithril.” I say between nibbles of bread.

  “You have an entire fortune of it in the bag over there.” She points to the loot bag from my Gadvak adventure.

  “Ya but see girlie, my mithril, it be harder. Besides that lot for Rin.” I chirp at her.

  “Why are you talking like that?” She huffs out.

  “Ah the forms push various mental tics in me. I'm still me under it all.”

  “So that's why you're all formal as that black hair human.”

  “Aye. Marie would expect nuthin’ less of me.”

  “Alright, whoever that is, why are you gathering mithril?”

  “Can't expect smithin’ wi’out an anvil.” I give her a one eyed glare.

  “That is going to be the most expensive anvil ever.”

  I shrug and pile the various arms in place. On my back.

  “Wait, why is it on your back?”

  I roll my eyes, amateurs. “I can't be meltin’ the metals on the floor. I set the clinic on fire.”

  “So instead you plan to melt them on your back.”

  “Aye.”

  “How is that not going to set you on fire?”

  I frown, “Ya know, ya got a point.” I rub my chin in contemplation. “My mithril melting point gots to be similar to my chitin. I ain't capable of makin’ constructs, Ya know due to the aura suppressin’. Mags, git over and help me wit’ this.”

  Mags barks a laugh. “How can I assist oh great gnomish smithpion?”

  I roll my eyes. “I need ya to form a construct here to hold the form. I goin’ to melt the arms an’ pour ‘em into it. Think ya can handle that?”

  “Ah yes, I can handle that. Will this shape do?” She asks with a wry grin.

  “Aye aye, that will do. Best back away girlie, it's ‘bout ta get hot.”

  Glindinal grows exasperated but steps away as I apply the heat to the mithril. It takes a great deal of my fire core but it begins to soften. I pour it into Mag's construct form. When I finally fill it, I slowly pull the heat out, solidifying it.

  Hmm, a good first step. I shift back.

  “Not going to do more?” Glindinal says as she looks at the anvil.

  I shake my head, heading to my trinkets. “I need to etch in hardening runes and heat resistances. It actually needs to be tougher than my metals.” I frown, “Mother, can we go to a bookstore. I can't access my rune book.” Stupid down dungeon.

  “So you plan to buy an overly expensive book because you can't access your current overly expensive book.” She deadpans.

  “That does about sums it up, yes.” I glibbly rejoined. I take a moment then ask, “How much do books usually cost?”

  “For what you want, ten large gold.”

  -----

  I look around warily. To the left. To the right. I hold the pouch close.

  “You're a tier three, are you seriously afraid to lose your pouch.” Mags admonishes.

  “Its just a—” A finger is put to my lips.

  “Shhhh don't be saying it out loud.” I look at her and nod. “Good. Let's get there and waste it all.”

  I roll my eyes. Winctal getting a little annoyed at how much money I keep pulling out of her hall. Just cause I paid Mags back her two hundred large gold. Whatever. I can at least say I am debt free, money wise.

  We entered the shop. A minotaur sits behind the counter. His books are behind him in a myriad of shelves.

  “What can I do for you?” He says a bit apprehensively.

  Figure him having horns would make him less wary of me but I give my most disarming smile, the one without teeth. Just about when I was ready to give my order, I got a piercing headache.

  [Two Separate Minds 2] becomes [Two Separate Minds 3] Basic 1

  Two Separate Minds 3 - Sure you don't want a third sister?

  Basic - Hey a third attention that can't share any senses other than your thirst

  Gain 3 exp

  Quite certain. But it would be another Vampire. Stop with the intrusive thoughts already. Mags touched my arm. Are you alright?

  “Miss?”

  I look back up at the Minotaur, “Sorry, inopportune skill gain. Ah, a book on runes for metal working.” Separate Minds tiered up, Mother.

  She nods, he grunts, “Only got a basic one, any better you need to talk to the smithing guild. Will that be fine?”

  I nod, “Got any cooking recipe books, preferable baking.”

  “Bakers guild guard those more than the smiths, ‘fraid no one brave enough to transcribe those for a book.”

  Damn, pretty sure that means any sewing patterns are also tied up with their respective guilds. “How bout an Atlas Monster Compendium.” Cea had one for Arc'nila.

  “Sure.” He turns back and goes hunting for my order.

  A third attention is just what I needed, keeping both my chest from caving in and my forehead from blistering was a bit much for one attention. I set it to watch my forehead. It's a bit jarring for my other two senses, losing the feeling of the circlet being on my brow. He brings the book and I am down fifteen large gold.

  We walk out and Mags asks a question.

  “Baking?”

  I smile, “I was just thinking what I would have done if not for, like, everything. Just what would make simple Sara simply happy.”

  “So baking.”

  “I do like bread. Maybe after I get my aura back I can split myself up and go apprentice an arcane tail at a bakery.”

  She laughs at that. Seeing my frown, “I don't mean to discourage, only that it is amusing how you wish to use your gifts to experience things. You should definitely do that, demon. How bout this evening you work with me on your aura.”

  “But I'm being suppressed.”

  “Doesn't mean it's not there, Cea.”

  I try to externalize my mana aura. The blanket that is Mags’ mana aura doesn't budge but she is right. Smothered but it's still there. I look up at Mags, “I would appreciate that, mother.”

  She gives me a side hug and a smile.